BMW has a history of fully operational driverless vehicles. Not too long ago, they unleashed the TrackTrainer, a specially designed group of BMW vehicles that uses GPS, loaded guide data and numerous sensors to guide a car around a track without a driver. Used in BMW driver training sessions to show ‘timid’ drivers just how capable a BMW can be, the TrackTrainer has even lapped famous tracks such as the Nürburgring and Laguna Seca unassisted. The German company has been working on using the technologies that power the TrackTrainer to benefit its road cars.
Dr. Nico Kämpchen, Project Manager of Highly Automated Driving at BMW and his team have so far logged nearly 5,000 test kilometers on public roads and highways. To put on emphasis on safe highway driving, a 5 Series sedan has been fitted automated software, vision assistance and environment detection sensors so that it can be aware of the hazards commonly found on a freeway. All the sensors and assistants allow the sedan to control acceleration, braking and lane changes in a safe and mature fashion. When another vehicle is beginning its entrance onto the freeway by a onramp, the system slows the car down to allow the other vehicle to merge. If space is provided, the system can even make the decision to change lanes, allowing for even easier access for the other vehicle.
“This is an entirely new situation and experience for the driver – it is a strange feeling handing over complete control of the car to an autonomous system. But after a few minutes of experiencing the smooth, sovereign and safe driving style, drivers and passengers begin to relax somewhat and trust the independent system,” said Dr. Kämpchen. “Nevertheless, the driver is still responsible for the situation at all times and must constantly keep an eye on traffic and the surroundings.”
Research and development for fully automated public driving continues on. Situations such as getting a car to understand where its position on the highway is are the main concerns as of now. There is no official word as of yet from BMW when and if this system will find its way into production.
Source: BMW
